New Plans

New plans-
~Apply to Grad School- at the West River Higher Education Center, which has college/grad programs from state schools all over SD, in one convenient place, conveniently where I plan on moving :D
~ Finish the season on October 18th- ish. ~ Hang out with Sheri and her kids when she comes to visit !!!!!!!
~ Ride home with Sheri, and spend a couple of weeks in UT
~ Fly back to Rapid City, SD
~ Start a new job, move to a new place, and ENJOY Rapid!

Things I look forward to in the big city (it's about the size of St. George):

1. Driving only about 15 itsy bitsy minutes to church/Target/Redbox
2. NOT hearing drama every day about who is sleeping with who, NOT hearing swear words every other second, and NOT dealing with whiny spoiled guests.
3. CIVILIZATION
4. Better pay, hopefully :)
5. Making my own food - I miss the weirdness

Things I'll miss:
1. Missionary opportunities- I've never given away so many Books of Mormon :D
2. My friends- it's not likely that I'll see the internationals again, unless they come back to Sylvan next year, and I come visit.
3. The quiet solitude/hiking opportunities right outside my door.
4. No stoplights, or very much traffic!

Alone-ness

I'm tired of being alone
So hurry up and get here
So tired of being alo-o-one
So hurry up and get here
get here.
...
Lonely,
I'm so lonely,
I've got nobody
To call my own.
...
Crazy
Crazy for feeling so lonely.
I-i-I'm crazy
Crazy for feelin so blue.

That's all the songs I can think of for now, but I'm sure there's more where that came from :)

Today I'm wondering if I'll be living this single Mormon's life forever. Sometimes it gets a little old. I counted the other day, and after 25 moves, 22 jobs, and dating more than a few guys in the past ten years- I'm feeling ready for a change, to my ever-changing life. Maybe I'm ready to turn in my "running shoes?" But that idea scares me more than a little bit. Can I really handle staying one place? What is God's plan for me?????

Night Auditor part 2.

What does a night auditor do with her time?



and this


And best of all- this...
Don't you wish you were here to party with me????

From FACEBOOK

Getting to know... me?

You've been tagged, you have the honor of copying all these goofy questions, writing your own response, and tagging 25other victims. You have to tag me so really you just need 24 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you, my friend.

To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your title as "Getting to know each other!", tag 25 people including me (tagging is done in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.

1. What time did you get up this morning?
7:30. I love sleeping in :)

2. How do you like your steak?
UGGGHHHH, if I have no other choice, I'll eat it well done.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Monsters VS Aliens. It wasn't half as good as I thought it would be :(

4. What is your favorite TV show?
PSYCH, only 10 more days until new episodes!

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
In an RV touring the world.

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Raisin Bran and Cornflakes. Gotta love mixing cereal.

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Probably Italian/Chinese/Mexican

8. What foods do you dislike?
Meat that's not fish, PICKLES, really hot stuff.

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
Fizoli's. I miss it.

10. Favorite dressing?
I guess Ranch, I'm not much into dressing.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
Toyota Corolla- they rule as well.

12. What are your favorite clothes?
The comfortable and cute kind. Yes Annie, my cute doen't really match others' ideas of cute.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance
India, Ghana, the Smokey Mountains, Andrionak Mountains... anywhere really.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
Depends on the day. Some days it's 100% full.

15. Where would you want to retire?
RV again.

16. Favorite time of day?
Morning as the sun rises over the hills.

17. Where were you born?
Cedar City hospital, but I grew up in Paragonah! The best town in the world.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Hockey in person, not on tv.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
Who cares?

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
Whoever is online and has time to kill....

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
Everyone!

22. Bird watcher?
Nope, I listen to them once in awhile...

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Both, I work morning and night shifts, so it comes in handy.

24. Pets?
Only if you count the chipmunk who has taken over the hotel lobby :D

25. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share?
This will come as quite a shock, but I'm kind of sick of moving all the time. Probably because I don't have an RV yet.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A grown up!

27. What is your best childhood memory?
Playing around in the hay bales that we thought our mom couldn't see, that or riding our bikes down main street, pretending we were in the circus. Playing Dare Base, No bears are out tonight, Witches in the dungeon, Colored Eggs, Go home stay home, Annie I over, Freeze Tag, etc.

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
Neither. I'm not really a pet person. OK, maybe a nice calm and quiet dog would be nice.

29. Are you married?
Nope.

30. Always wear your seat belt?
Yep.

31. Been in a car accident?
A few fender-benders, but nothing serious.

32. Any pet peeves?
Whiny/complaining/spoiled guests who want money taken off of their bill for silly things.

33. Favorite pizza topping?
Mushrooms.

34. Favorite Flower?
Lilacs. Me too Camille!

35. Favorite ice cream?
Strawberry cheesecake. yummmy.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Fazoli's again.

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
I didn't fail it at all, but I barely passed.

38. From whom did you get your last email?
Shannon, a potential employer.

39. At which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Amazon.com. Who likes to shop in stores?

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
Daily.

41. Like your job?
ummm, not as much as I thought I would.

42. Broccoli?
I love broccoli.

43. What was your favorite vacation?
Too many to choose from! Maybe the three day CA trip, or the cross country trip, or both San Francisco trips... I can't decide. I'll say any Road Trip.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
hm, I should probably do that sometime soon, because I don't remember! Unless you count about ten other people in the employee dining room :)

45. What are you listening to right now?
I was watching/listening to the conference overview. Very good, watch it and be amazed. http://lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference04-2009&event=april179&lang=english


46. What is your favorite color?
Purple, I don't really have a favorite, this is the first one that came to mind.

47. How many tattoos do you have?
Ouch! None.

49. What time did you finish this quiz?
1:22 pm.

50. Coffee Drinker?
Nope, most people make fun of my strict milk, water, and juice drinking habits. Are you one of them?

Traveling back in time

I finally got to go on the 1880's train! I've been wanting to do it for awhile, and since it was Pioneer day that week, I figured it would have to do. Some of my ancestors did come part of the way on a train before making the trek in wagons/handcarts, so here is my pioneer day (not really the 24th, but close enough) celebration.

From July- with C4, Kiwi, and H20

Santa's Summer Job.

From July- with C4, Kiwi, and H20

Steam Engines are pretty cool.

From July- with C4, Kiwi, and H20

Me, Stacey and Hara- My Front Desk Co-workers.

From July- with C4, Kiwi, and H20

Going up the tram to slide down the alpine slides :D

From July- with C4, Kiwi, and H20

Bye Bye- don't die ;)

Badlands, Worstlands, and the quote wall combined

Not that the famous Wall Drug (The biggest tourist trap of all time, and built for no reason) is the Worstlands, but it does start with a W.

From July- with C4, Kiwi, and H20

Does it get any better than this picture? Lol!

We made it to the Badlands, after going through a storm of grasshoppers. I think I have about 20 still stuck in the front of my car :P

How many tries does it take to get everyone in the picture?

Quote Wall
"And then came the candy." -me

"You're the best to my friend"- forwarded message

"Then I started thinking at that point!" - Katie?

"Thank you, no thank you."- Scot, quoting a movie that the rest of us didn't know,after Emily and I were bouncing movie quotes around.

Regurgitated pollen- Honey? !?!

Tree! Sagebrush! Water! Cow!

Oscar, we found something we all know? - Operation "quote the whole movie" commencing now...

"It sounds like Kansas- the soundtrack"- Emily

Kansas is actually flatter than a pancake- brought to you by scientists who study science for no reason. - Mark

Plague ridden zombie prairie dogs! Watch out. - Mark

I missed the "real adventure", and was only a little wet after walking in the rain.

Things that make me go hu- part 23 1/2

~ Why doesn't my picture show up as following my friends? hu?

~The idea that farms can grow without sprinklers/irrigation astounds me.

~ Whiny guests- if you're reading this, and you ever stay at a hotel- be nice to the people serving you! I don't get how people can be so spoiled that they complain about one of the better rooms, with a balcony, just because people will walk by the room!


~ GUYS. Need I say more?



~Family Reunions, or lack of them. I always feel sad for those who have never had one, and I'm sad that I'm missing so many this year!

~ My life: As usual, I don't understand the ins and outs :D

~ Planning weddings- the idea makes me feel nauseous- but I think I've gone overboard in mentioned this previously... do people actually enjoy it?

~ Politics- and why people do the things they do.

~Why didn't Phylicia Rishad (Claire on the Cosby Show) get any awards for her TV performances? I just don't get it.

~ALL OF THE DRAMA around here is making me question my insanity. It also makes me realize what a great world it would be if people kept two laws: The Law of chastity, and the Word of Wisdom. Most of the drama would be non-existent. But then again, I swear there was a lot of drama in my other jobs, when these two weren't such problems. What was the deal there? I forget. - Hu?

~Speaking of the above- where did the term "Baby Mamma" and "Baby Daddy" come from? I like the comment from my sister's good friend, "Some people call them husbands!" Don't worry, I understand completely that everyone works with the knowledge they have. It would just be a lovely world if there were no such terms.

Marriage Prep

I knew I'd get you with that subject- ha! So, today I finally came up with something that I can look forward to when it comes to engagement/wedding planning/going through with it (FUTURE refence here). . . The Bridal Shower. Now, I'm not just talking about any bridal shower- this is a one of a kind, theme party!

Since I'm sure the suspense is killing you: My sister and I stayed up late one night and decided that we'd have an "Old Maid's Parade" some day! We'd walk along the streets throwing candy at the kids, like they used to throw rocks at poor old maids in the olden days. The best part of the parade was that if you had been an old maid for 20 years ( I don't remember the exact year) you'd get to ride in a float! We'd proudly walk down the street for all to see. Now with that said, here's my plan: we'll have a Death- to-the-old-maid-parade-dream- party :D :D :D What could be more fun? You're all invited, but you need to 1. dress up like a really old lady, preferably in turn of the century clothing- or just grandma clothes. 2. Bring lots of cats, or crocheting projects, card games, or even a book. 3. This goes without saying: No talking about boyfriends/fiancee's/husbands :) How would a true old maid feel?

That should do it for the prep.

Now this is the itinierary for the party: First we'll go around in our costumes in a "parade" or promonade, with an announcer describing the dress as each woman comes in etc. Then we'll have a nice dinner- tv dinners? Since old maids don't have to cook for a family, it should be simple food right?

Then we'll switch to a "tea" party, or koolaid if you will; with crumpets, whatever those are; and nice china, if someone has any.
...

That's all I've come up with so far. Let me know of any additions you'd like.

http://static.open.salon.com/files/2604811407_a33e3b6566.jpg

TEMPLE!

From July- with C4, Kiwi, and H20

Well the temple trip was amazing, but I did get sick (feel a little better today) with my cold/allergies thing. Even though my head was pounding, and I was coughing, which hurt my sore throat--- I was at the temple! Finally I was there, getting a break from the world, feeling like I was taking a deep breath of fresh air (when I wasn't nodding off right when it was important to be awake). I love the temple so much, and I wish every one in the world could enjoy those blessings as well. Someday that will happen...

I really can't describe the great feeling of being inside those walls, after such a stressful few months. It meant so much to me that when it was time to leave, I got a little teary eyed. Then my friend Scot said that we had been asked to clean the temple before we left! It was a blessing to not only stay longer, but to give something back by cleaning. You definitely get a different feeling there than if you're just cleaning your room. It's more like a consecration than a drudgery.

It has been a great weekend. Today we had a lesson in Relief Society, about the blessings of the temple. The spirit was strong, and I felt blessed to be with such great people, doing a great work. Then I met the most perfect specimen of a man... the only problem is that he's about 22. He's an assistant chaplin in the military, and after his 4 years is up, he wants to go on a mission, then to school. Obviously not the same stage of life that I'm in! I can't help but wonder what my life would have turned out like if I had met/dated guys like him, when I was the right age... It would be a different story than the one I have; for my past chioces which certainly led to heart ache, wouldn't have happened. It would either be me not dating at all because nobody that asked me is like that, or would it have been me dating some really phenomenal guys because I wouldn't settle for less? Oh well, hindsight vision is 20/20, and I'm sure I've heard the phrase "This road leads to madness." It just makes me wonder where I'd be if I had made better choices, that didn't lead to me freaking out about the idea of a relationship... It was just so nice to talk to a guy who is a good listener, is going places in his life, and loves the gospel with all his heart. Now, are there any like that that are my age????? I sure hope so.

Wherever my life leads, I learned a lot about consecration in the temple. My life is the Lord's, and I'll do whatever HE wants with it. What an adventure it has been so far!

Thankful Thursday

For this I am thankful:

Two Days until the Temple Trip!!!!! I'm starting to feel a little sick, so I'm hoping that it holds off until Sunday or so... but I get to go to the temple :D Six hours to get there should be interesting. How many church dvd's are there that I can watch on my mini-dvd player? I can't wait to sit within those walls, and just breathe in the spirit. I miss it so much, and I can't wait to be there again.

I was talking to my roommate last night, and said a little bit about the church, then we turned off the lights to go to bed... it dawned on me that I hadn't told her the Joseph Smith story, said to remind me to tell it sometime... and we ended up staying awake until almost 3am talking about the church and a few other religions! I love having conversations like that, and she said she wants to come to church with me sometime. It's funny because the beginning of the conversation was a little on the depressing side(not the church part, just the, but ended with me having a hard time going to sleep because of the good feelings boiling over. I love how conversing with a person can change things on many levels.

I have a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and clothes on my back. I have a job- not all can say that, AND I've been able to attend college for the first part of an education- not all can say that either, AND I even own my own car (though I somehow need to get back to the bank in Cedar City's to transfer the title to my name).

I have great co-workers that go through the stress of dealing with angry guests etc. and we can deal with it together.

I already talked about the church, my family, friends, etc. Always thankful for that :)

one word (sort of) list:
Darren
church
temple
days-off
Boulders
Mountains
Lakes
Hiking
Newness
Green
Laid-back-people
Missionaries
Missionary experiences
Sunshine
lightning
thunder
CLOUDS
buffalo
Twinners
cousins
facebook-friends
sunshine on my shoulder
electricity
books
movies
GOOD tv shows
rain
microwaves
toasters
fridges (can you tell I'm in the employee dining room?)
visiting people
callings
temples
temples
temples
temples
did I mention TEMPLES?
The end.

This paragraph pretty much sums up my life.

It all comes down to this: I haven't found a job that I want for the rest of my life (maybe school counselor will be that one thing? Working with people, and RVing across the country in the summer... it just MIGHT work.), or a guy that I want to be with forever . . . I have a whole list of jobs that I know are temporary, and qualities that I don't want in a guy... as well as a list of things I can change about myself .......... I guess my 29 years haven't been lived in vain!

Laugh Out Loud- seriously

These two things crack me up every time I see them :D The flower pic is when Annie said,"Take a picture of me smelling the blossoms!" Hee hee, sorry A. I couldn't resist!

What a Wonderful World

Well, it's been an interesting week. Last week was the week from ... not a good place. I was ready to pack my bags, and live as an old maid in my mom's basement for the rest of my life. It started with me REALLY not wanting to come home after church on Sunday. It was hard to feel the spirit slowly drain away, the further I got from the church. Then other things added up to me feeling that I felt like the biggest looser in the world! It was yet another "quarter life" crisis for me, as: 1. They hired a 16 yr old at the front desk (What's wrong with me, why don't I have a "real life" and a "real" job yet???). 2. My eight years younger sister announced she is expecting another baby. (I'm really excited for them, and can't wait to meet the new Ferree baby; but I feel sorry for myself. Why don't I have a family yet?). 3. There were a lot of angry guests, which in turn made my managers angry, and I was sooo sick of being "yelled" at from both sides! 4. The atmosphere here is still pretty bad (Darren and his scout friends came to hike Harney yesterday and there were some issues, leading to people screaming the "F" word at each other... Sorry Darren).

Since I can't seem to make my life work, why try? Even if that general authority said not to, I was ready give up and be a basement dweller/or at least a beach bum....

This past week I've had a lesson in the bigger perspective. A lot of good things have happened, but that's not really the source of the change. A couple of friends asked me if I wanted to spend the day with them after church, and it was definitely an answer to prayer! Little things have continued to happen, and I feel like I'm seeing the world with new eyes. When I got home from church/hanging with members/fireside, I started talking with another worker. He was raised in the foster care system, and one of the families he stayed with were LDS. He was baptized, but fell away, and as we talked he said things like, "I've done too many bad things to come back." This one conversation made me realize that I HAVE EVERYTHING. Everything I'll ever need. While our temporal circumstances are pretty similar, this guy is so lost, and I feel like Heavenly Father has been blessing me left and right.

I have a wonderful family who loves me! They send me letters and a care package. They fill me in on their lives, and we are still close even after the years, and changes to the family.

I have the gospel in my life--- I feel a little like that sister from Pres. Monson's talk: Out of all my countrymen (co-workers), I am the most happy because I have a testimony!!! I know that heavenly Father is my father, and that He guides me in what I should do. I know that the church is true, and it is the way to be happy!!!!!!!!!!!

I have used the atonement in my life, and I know that anyone can change, becoming better every day. I know that Christ came to change us, and help us live life more fully. I know that repentance is possible, and that even if we do horrible things we are able to come back to the Savior, because of His suffering for us.

I really do live in a beautiful area. My member friends made the hour trip so that we could have institute up here at Sylvan Lake. They were in awe of the hotel etc. It made me see it again, because as you're dealing with people, or just going from the dorms to work etc, you forget the beauty that surrounds you. Another big picture reminder.

Even if I never do figure out what to do with my life, if I never get that career that I think I should have by now, and even if I never do get married while in this life- I already have everything to make me the most happy person here. I have a testimony, what more does anyone need?

Book Review

Things that make the world better: Frosting crackers (I tried peanut butter crackers with cream cheese frosting, and it was good. Try it!), and spiritual activity. After a terrible, horribly bad day, I went to Rapid to attend institute, ate some frosting on crackers, and the world was good again. I haven't been back to work yet, but I have all hope that it will be a better day.

On to the book review:
I've been trying to get into "The Scarlet Letter," and it has been a hard read. While the other classics that I've tried to read have ended in an unfinished pile, I am determined to complete this one!
So far this is what I've gotten from the book:

~ I've wondered if the sex offender registry is a modern day example of the scarlet letter, which the wearer must be adorned for life?

~ I think that one of the main thesis' of the book is the question of whether it is worse for a sinner to be publicly shamed, or to be silent- suffering torturous thoughts of shame inside. I think for one thing, true repentance involves confession, and with that confession comes eventual cleansing. This book definitely shows the demonic effects of un-confessed sin. I do not wish for that to be on my conscience! The scarlet letter, in a way was freeing, as well as damning.

~ Hester, the wearer of the Scarlet Letter is an interesting character. She is ostracized from society because of adultery, and pretty much becomes a shadow of her former self. It makes me wonder if the wearing away of personality is from the original sin, or the way it was dealt with. Perhaps both? Honestly, repentance to me is there to make us better people, not to rob the person of who they are.

All in all, it's very interesting. I should be finished with it by tomorrow. What should be my next book? I have a lot of flimsy reads, which should be a good break from all this thinking :)

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you DON'T.

Today stinks! I hate everything... how is it that everything seems to change so fast? I wonder what I'm doing here, I'm wishing I weren't the only one with standards, and I want a "real life!" Besides that everything is good. Too bad you can't live your entire life on a hike, or at the most fun dance you've ever been too :( The real world is just that, REAL.

Hiking Solo

There's just something about going on a hike by yourself that is different from any other experience. As I solo hiked this week (yes, people knew where I was, and get this, I EVEN TOOK ENOUGH WATER WITH ME :D), I felt rejuvenated, inspired, and at peace with myself. It's like you discover a part of your inner being, that's usually hard to channel (am I sounding existential enough yet?); as soon as you're free from outside "noise." It's just you, the wind blowing through the trees, and God. The actual physical exertion of hiking has its own rewards, because for one, you are forced to concentrate. Then when you reach the overlooks, the views mean much more because of the "sacrifice" you made to get there.

As we go through the drudgery/excitement of a usual day, it is just too easy to loose our "true self!" The pressing things of the moment need attention, and inquirings of the deep inner being are often passed over. How often do we think of the riches of eternity, or see ourselves as the glorious children of God that we are, with His light shining through us? How often do we simply stop and stand still? In thinking about this, I am reminded that the temple is a great place to reconnect with the spirit, and commune with our Heavenly Father. Since I'm so far away from one now, I am grateful that the beauties of nature are so near.

I feel like I found myself all over again as I jumped over and climbed around boulders, or sat overlooking the hills from various points along the trails. Now I remember why John Muir says to "come to the mountains... wash your soul clean"!

From June 2009

Thankful Thursday

In honor of thankful Thursday, I'm going to write all of the things that I'm thankful for... with the ABC's. bE PREPARED: I've never done this before, so it might be a little silly!

A- I am grateful for my AUNTS, especially Cheryl :D Thanks for your charity.
B- BOYS, especially if they happen to be my nephews.
C- COMMUNICATION, what would we do without it? Even when there are MIScommunications, I appreciate those who are willing to hang in there until it's cleared up.
D- DRIFTWOOD Ln. My home turf.
E- EMAILS. Love love love them, as well as EGGS in the morning.
F- FRIENDS, old, new, and in-between
G- GRANDPARENTS, especially those who share their stories with me :D
H- HIKING, what else?
I- Ireland, and the fact that Annie is there living her dream, INSPIRING me to live mine.
J- inside JOKES that never get old. I still read over my happy thoughts notebook and laugh :D
K- Kathy and Kristy and KIND people everywhere.
L- LOVE, ahhh how sweet.
M- my marvelous, magnificent, majestic, MOTHER.
N- NUTS, I like them too... People, and the "seed."
O- Oooooook lahoma where the wind comes rushing down the grain- I drew a blank.
P- The word PLEASE. It's nice to hear common manners once in awhile. Wait, am I a hypocrite?
Q- QUESTIONS, question balls, questions that get answered, and questioning everything yet being ok without knowing the answers now.
R- ROBINSON FAMILY CAROLERS- we should really call the new CD that, REALLY.
S- SCRIPTURES! SINGING with the fam! SUNSHINE after the rain! SOUL expanding days... S is a good letter.
T- TESTIMONY, Truth, Tenfold blessings... and Technology to share it all.
U- UNDERSTANDING that comes with time. Understanding friends and family that love you even when you're crabby. Understanding, the sign, I like that one.
V- VELCRO- enough said.
W- WEATHER. There's a lot of it here. I wouldn't want to be bored!
X- eXclamation points? I'm really drawing a blank.
Y- YOGA, especially BYU TV's- it's modest and everything :) And of course my Yoga Partner- miss you too Taffy!
Z- the Buzzzzing of bees? Who thought of these letters at the end of the alphabet?

Compliments that can last a month?

I think it was Mark Twain who once said that a good compliment could last him for a month. I've had some great compliments this past week, but I actually have mixed feelings about some of them. Take for instance:

~ Why isn't Carrie married? She's pretty and nice...

I appreciate the pretty and nice part, but ummm, is there really an answer besides the fact that I date the wrong guys- for me?

~ Carrie's the sweetest girl here...

This was kind of strange, coming from a maintenance guy who is about 50. Good thing he said that about Hera a few seconds before he said my name!

~ I can't imagine you not smiling (as in I never get mad or something, ha!)...

This one brought to mind the days in St. David AZ when I put a perpetual smile on my face, when I was feeling intimidated in softball! Am I feeling intimidated here? I also realized from this compliment that I definitely change with my environment. Here I feel like the church will be judged by my conduct, so I'm careful to be cheery/calm/and not too opinionated around here! The other day we had a YSA (young single adult) conference, and some of the guys were getting into it in regards to politics. I felt intimidated and kind of unintelligent--- and thought about all the time I was overbearing in my political ideas. Sorry if I made you feel intimidated and stupid! I think if I were back in UT, I'd probably spout off conflicting ideas like I used to, but life is different now. Good/bad? I haven't decided. I'm sure there's a happy medium somewhere.

~ "You would make the best missionary."

I don't know when this comment will stop hurting, because it's been about 4 years since the mission drama and I still get a gut ache when I think about it :(

~ "Even if there's stress behind the desk, you always give the customers great customer service." then later, "Wow, you just roll with it, I would be shaking (or something like that, after a mean guest yelled at us across the lobby THREE different times)."


I don't have a problem with the first one, it was nice to hear! For the second one I wanted to say, "Compared to people dealing with sexual assault, this was cake."


~ "I took an informal poll, and they said you were the funnest one to dance with!"


This one I definitely don't have problems with. The YSA dance was the most fun one I've been to--- EVER. I had lots of fun being goofy, and I guess the guys did too.


So, all in all, compliments are great to hear, and I should try to give them more often! Maybe I'll have to take time to think of how it might be taken before that though...

I Miss You!

So, for the first time that I can remember, I'm feeling homesick. Not really missing home, just my babies!!! I miss the way Kaden would call me Ree, and bang on the door excited to see me. I miss seeing Autumn in her peacefulness, and I want to see those smiles :D I miss Jenna and all the funny words she is starting to say, and how could I not miss her tounge? She loves to stick it out at every opportunity. Then there's Elina who was just learning how to say "I Love You" in sign, and the way she would call me Turrie. I miss Aaron's gushyness, and his most adorable smiles :) Caleb and Sammie, and their trying to play soft with the little kids. I miss Caleb being so excited about things like Transformers, that he'd run around the room being one. Sammie and her dramatic princess role, and her "Samie-isms. What energy she brings to the world. AND baby Tommy, who is so energetic that he'll probably run before he walks, and he's the cutest little elf there is. I am so blessed to such great kids to be my nieces and nephews!!! I hope they can come to visit as planned. What better time to see Buffalo, Mt. Rushmore, and the 1880's Train? Caleb and Samie are the perfect age... please please please let it work out. I really miss you guys!!!!!!! Kisses, muwah.

Third post in one day, aren't you excited?

Ok, it is now 4:38 am and I'm a little tired.

These are ideas that I've come up with when you need to stay awake but feel tired.
you can:
~ run up and down the hallway (in the downstairs employee part, away from sleeping guests),
~ sing or whistle to yourself :)
~ do jumping jacks in the back office, just in case a random person does slip in and sees you.
~ Walk outside in the rain for a minute or two... if the darkness doesn't scare you!
~ Poke yourself in the eye, it might help you stay awake!
~ Standing at the desk helps instead of sitting in the nice comfy chair behind the desk.
~ Make paper airplanes with the extra paper from the day, then throw them as close to the
center of the carpet, on the deer's tail.
~ Yoga moves, again in the back office ;)
~ Try pushups on the counter
~ Practice dance moves, cha cah, solo polka, and of course the jitterbug :D
~ Hop on one leg for a count of twenty, then switch legs. . .

Now the question is, can you guess which of these I have actually done?

P.S. Did you know that it starts getting lighter right now? The sky is a dark blue instead of black... It's so early! what's with that?

P.P.S. Watching the sun come through the windows as it rises makes me look at the place I see every day- differently. Hmmm, what else am I missing? Please note that I did catch the fact that old buildings creek, and that the employee dining room is creepy in the dark!

Three cheers for my night at the hotel being over, as soon as Hera gets here... I made it out alive! No dinosaurs, or tiny fighting cowboys/indians to speak of (a hotel isn't as cool as a museum I guess). So sad.